retired_manpk1

70. Somerset Park, Ayr (Attendance: 1646)
11 December 2004 – Scottish Cup, First Round: Ayr vs Forfar

Whilst in England the major cup competition has already the Third Round proper, in Scotland, today is just the very first round. Ayr and Forfar are both in the Second Division, but they’re having very different seasons; Ayr are chasing promotion, Forfar are struggling against relegation. But as we all know, league position counts for nothing when it comes to the Cup competitions.

Forfar got off to the best possible start, and were awarded a penalty with just three minutes gone. Right-back Steve Florence put it away neatly, and Forfar continued to litter the Ayr goal with efforts. Ayr held out well, and slowly started to get into the game, and caused a few problems of their own. Eighteen minutes in Graeme Brown equalised against the run of play, and six minutes later Brown grabbed a second to put Ayr in control.

The home side now had the upper hand, and they pushed Forfar back as they looked to get a third. Four minutes before the break a wicked cross was headed into his own net by Forfar’s David Dunn and Ayr were two goals up.

But there was still more action to come in the first half. On the stroke of half time Forfar were awarded a second penalty, and Florence despatched this one as well to reduce the deficit back down to one.

The second half wasn’t quite as exciting, but Forfar did try their best to find an equaliser. Their finishing let them down though, and Ayr soaked up the pressure quite comfortably. Five minutes from time Andy Cargill got a fourth for Ayr on the break to leave Forfar shattered.

Games watched: 70
Total mileage: 19614
Total number of goals witnessed: 209 [+27] (2.99 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 16 (0.23 per game)

mrsevans7177

Former Crewe player. I'm sure the drop down did him good though

Nice work Binny, crossing my fingers you make it through them all :thup:

retired_manpk1

Bartley - I can tell you now that the task will be (has been) completed


71. Highbury, London (Attendance: 24555)
12 December 2004 – English Premiership: Arsenal vs Manchester City

It’s not often that I go to a Premiership game on a Sunday, and to be honest, I had hoped to visit Highbury on a European night. But with no other domestic games being played today, I didn’t have much choice. With surprise leaders Charlton drawing yesterday, reigning Champions Arsenal can retake top spot with a win. But Man City, including former Gooner Nicolas Anelka in their line-up, will provide them with a tough test today.

The first ten minutes weren’t much to write home about, but then Arsenal took the lead through José Antonio Reyes’ 10th goal of the season. Within a minute though City were level. It was former Gooner Nicolas Anelka who did the damage, with a wonderful flick over Jens Lehmann as the ball sailed in.

Thierry Henry had an effort ruled out for offside soon after, but it didn’t take long for the Frenchman to get on the scoresheet; it was just 23 minutes into the game that he notched up his 100th league goal for Arsenal. But yet again City came back, and three minutes later Anelka hit a 30-yard strike past an unassuming Lehmann to level up the scores once more.

Arsenal though are known for their resilience, but continued to find City difficult to break down. But they got their lucky break just before half time when Richard Dunne handled in the box, and Reyes put away the penalty to restore Arsenal’s lead with the last kick before half time.

City were poor in the second half, and Arsenal probed for a fourth all through the second period. Fifteen minutes from time Henry grabbed it, and Arsenal were back on top of the Premiership pile.

Games watched: 71
Total mileage: 19634
Total number of goals witnessed: 215 [+27] (3.03 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 16 (0.23 per game)

retired_manpk1

72. Craven Cottage, London (Attendance: 21493)
13 December 2004 – English Premiership: Fulham vs Birmingham

Fulham have returned to Craven Cottage after two seasons away in order to renovate their home, but the home fans have had to see their side struggle at the foot of the table. Birmingham are only a few places above the drop zone, but its such a congested division that three points would move them up to mid-table safety.

Birmingham set about with intent early on, and used their counter-attacking abilities to great effect. Fulham didn’t really have the cutting edge about them, and Birmingham snuffed out the danger quite easily.

With half an hour gone Birmingham broke once more, and this time scored through on-loan striker Mikael Forssell. It was no more than they deserved, and they took their lead into the break.

Things continued in similar vein in the second half. Forssell grabbed a second early in the second half, and Birmingham were now in cruise control. Fulham couldn’t get any sort of control over the midfield, and as a result, they found it virtually impossible to get in even a single shot.

Emile Heskey kept up his reputation as not being able to do very much on a football field by missing three opportunities when he came on, and that was the only reason why Birmingham only ended up winning by two goals to nil.

Games watched: 72
Total mileage: 19668
Total number of goals witnessed: 217 [+27] (3.01 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 16 (0.22 per game)

retired_manpk1

73. Adams Park, Wycombe (Attendance: 5875)
14 December 2004 – English League Two: Wycombe vs Bristol Rovers

Wycombe are having a good season, and should find themselves there or thereabouts come the end of the season. Bristol Rovers are currently mid-table, but they will want to ensure that they don’t slip down the table.

Both sides showed good intent in the early exchanges, and there was clearly a wish to score from both parties. But for all their intent, it takes a certain amount of skill to actually find the target, and that’s what both sides lacked in the first half; Wycombe just about shading it in terms of possible goalscoring opportunities.

There was more rubbish in the second half, although the finishing did improve, and at least the goalkeepers were called into action on a few occasions. Wycombe did have the better of the chances, but in the end there was no scoring, and the game ended in a somewhat disappointing goalless draw.

Games watched: 73
Total mileage: 19702
Total number of goals witnessed: 217 [+27] (2.97 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 16 (0.22 per game)

mrsevans7177

Dont spoil it

KUTGW anyways :thup:

retired_manpk1

74. Links Park, Montrose (Attendance: 674)
15 December 2004 – Scottish Third Division: Montrose vs East Stirling

Montrose are having a great season, and with a win today they can regain top spot. East Stirling are struggling down in 7th, and will probably not be expecting too much from this match.

My instincts were proved right from the whistle with Montrose pouring forward at every opportunity with the intent to score. East Stirling though did well to hold out, and when they could, they broke well.

Half an hour in Montrose’s pressure finally told with Daryn Smith getting the final touch, and they should have had more. But East Stirling kept plugging away, and just before half time their Norwegian defender Carl Thywissen equalised.

It was more of the same in the second half, but Montrose just couldn’t find the net, and they were getting more and more desperate. Things kept going like that until five minutes before time, with Graeme Sharp releasing a great sense of release from the home sides.

Montrose though switched off, and with just two minutes left on the clock Scott Livingstone bundled in an effort to equalise for East Stirling and prevent Montrose from regaining top spot.

Games watched: 74
Total mileage: 20160
Total number of goals witnessed: 221 [+27] (2.99 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 16 (0.22 per game)

retired_manpk1

75. The Riverside Stadium, Middlesborough (Attendance: 35086)
16 December 2004 – UEFA Cup, Group Stage: Middlesborough vs Atlético Madrid (Spain)

Boro’s first European adventure is at a very precarious stage. If they win, they will qualify for the knockout stages, but if not, they will be relying on Steaua and KR drawing. It’s going to be difficult for them though, Altético Madrid have some great players, not least the young striker Fernando Torres.

As I, and the Boro faithful, had feared, Atlético were a class above the North-East side, and although Boro had the early possession, Atlético had the better class. Fifteen minutes in Fernando Torres put the Spaniards ahead with their first real effort, and ten minutes later French midfielder Peter Luccin doubled the advantage.

Boro were restricted to long-range efforts that did little to trouble Leo Franco, and even when they did, the goalkeeper was equal to everything that they could throw at him.

On the hour things got even worse for Boro as they conceded a somewhat dubious penalty. Mark Schwarzer did well to keep out Ariel Miguel Ibagaza’s penalty, but they couldn’t use that as a spring to get forward. Thirteen minutes from time Luccin got his second of the night, and Atlético’s third, and with Steaua winning, Boro were out of Europe.

With Boro also struggling in the relegation zone in the Premiership, the loss tonight signalled Steve McClaren’s final game in charge; unceremoniously sacked by chairman Steve Gibson.

Games watched: 75
Total mileage: 20626
Total number of goals witnessed: 224 [+27] (2.99 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 16 (0.21 per game)

retired_manpk1

76. Oakside, Barkingside (Attendance: 649)
18 December 2004 – English Conference South: Redbridge vs St. Albans

Redbridge, “uglier sister” of Dagenham and Redbridge, are rock bottom of the Conference South. However, a win would probably move them off the bottom due to the congested nature at the bottom of the division. St. Albans will harbour outside chances of a playoff berth, but there are a few decent sides who will challenge them for it.

St. Albans made a decent enough start, and caused Redbridge problems from the start. Eighteen minutes in Matt Hann gave the visitors the lead with his 10th strike of the season, and it was no more than they deserved. Ten minutes later Adam Parker doubled the lead, heading in from a corner, and Redbridge were struggling.

St. Albans continued to dominate after the break with John Spicer and Adam Brichall, both on loan from Arsenal, pulling the strings. Birchall, a Welsh Under-21 international, could have added a few to the St. Albans tally before he did finally score their third with a lovely strike with six minutes to go.

Tempers frayed in the final few minutes, and both sides had a player sent off – James Smith for St. Albans and Alex Fiddes for Redbridge. It was a disappointing end to a pretty good game.

Games watched: 76
Total mileage: 20664
Total number of goals witnessed: 227 [+27] (2.99 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 18 (0.24 per game)

retired_manpk1

77. Home Park, Plymouth (Attendance: 18170)
19 December 2004 – English Championship: Plymouth vs Millwall

It’s been a very weird season for Millwall. They’ve just qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup, but in the league they are propping up the Championship. Plymouth are having a good first season in the division, and should definitely consolidate their place.

Plymouth had a few early chances, but with just seven minutes gone Barry Hayles broke to score his 10th goal of the season to put the Lions ahead. Argyle piled forward, and put Millwall under the cosh. Chances went begging as Millwall clung on, but on 25, French midfielder David Friio equalised with a powerful header.

Ten minutes later Plymouth took the lead through Stephen Crawford, but a poor back pass at the other end allowed Hayles to pick up the loose ball and equalise for the Londoners.

Argyle continued to attack in the second half, and as they failed to score, they were starting to kick themselves for throwing away the points. But fourteen minutes from time Keith Lasley bulleted in a winner from 25 yards out to push Plymouth closer to the play-off places and keep Millwall rooted to the bottom.

Games watched: 77
Total mileage: 21104
Total number of goals witnessed: 232 [+27] (3.01 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 18 (0.23 per game)